Banished from the Hero's Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside
First light novel volume cover
真の仲間じゃないと勇者のパーティーを追い出されたので、辺境でスローライフすることにしました (Shin no Nakama ja Nai to Yūsha no Pātī o Oidasareta no de, Henkyō de Surō Raifu Suru Koto ni Shimashita)
Banished from the Hero's Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside (真の仲間じゃないと勇者のパーティーを追い出されたので、辺境でスローライフすることにしました, Shin no Nakama ja Nai to Yūsha no Pātī o Oidasareta no de, Henkyō de Surō Raifu Suru Koto ni Shimashita)[c] is a Japanese light novel series written by Zappon and illustrated by Yasumo. It began serialization online in October 2017 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by Kadokawa Shoten, who have published the series since June 2018 under their Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint.
A manga adaptation with art by Masahiro Ikeno has been serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's shōnen manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Ace since May 2018. Both the light novel and manga are licensed in North America by Yen Press. An anime television series adaptation produced by Wolfsbane and Studio Flad aired from October to December 2021. A second season by Studio Flad aired from January to March 2024.
Synopsis
In a world whose inhabitants find their destinies dictated by the Divine Blessings they receive upon birth, Gideon Ragnason was a member of the Hero's Party, a powerful group led by his sister Ruti destined to save the world from evil. His Blessing gave him the common ability to survive any terrain, and he proves that additional skills can go beyond the limit. That is, until one day, Ares, the Party's second-in-command, considers him a dead weight to the party members and banishes him from the group. Gideon heeds Ares' words and leaves without telling Ruti.
Hoping to live an easy life on the frontier, Gideon moves to a borderland town and opens an apothecary, changing his name to Red. However, keeping his former status a secret may not be as simple as he thinks, especially when Rit, a beautiful young adventurer and his previous crush, shows up and asks to move in with him!
Characters
Red (レッド, Reddo) / Gideon Ragnason (ギディーオン・ラグナソン, Gidīon Ragunason)
Red is an apothecary residing in the town of Zoltan. His real name is Gideon Ragnason, formerly known as a knight and member of The Hero's Party, who was banished from the group for "being a liability". His Divine Blessing is "Guide", which gives him the ability to survive in any terrain and is important for his knowledge of herbs. To be more useful to his party members, he has learned a number of additional skills beyond the limits of his Blessing; in times of need, he proves to be a skilled combatant, tactician, and leader. Reserved and humble, but with a noble heart, he was much beloved by most of his party, and his leaving has caused much resentment against Ares, who facilitated his resignation. He runs his apothecary shop in Zoltan with his beautiful wife, Rit, who is a former adventurer and princess of Loggervia, whom he fell in love with at first sight, and only grew closer to her. During Season 2, he is now living with most of his old friends including his sister Ruti.
Rit (リット, Ritto) / Rizlet of Loggervia (リーズリット・オブ・ロガーヴィア, Rīzuritto obu Rogāvia)
Rit is a beautiful young B-ranked adventurer and Red's wife, who resides with Red in his home beside the apothecary shop he runs. She is the princess of the Duchy of Loggervia, a military power. She actually came to live with Red both to escape a power struggle within her family, and because she has developed a crush on him while they worked together for a time before his retirement. Her Divine Blessing is "Spirit Scout". Her weapons of choice are two miniature shotels, one on each hip in custom scabbards.
Ruti is a powerful but emotionless girl and Red's younger sister, who happens to be the Hero. The Party she leads is the major thorn in the side of The Demon Lord's Army. Her Hero's Blessing bestows her with incredible resistance to physical discomforts; however, it also makes her indifferent to emotional extremes. Due to this, her love for her brother is Ruti's most important anchor, and she misses him terribly after Ares' scheming drove him away. As a result, she begins fighting her Blessing in order to be reunited with Gideon. She eventually develops a new Blessing called "New Truth", which has the ability to control and dominate other Blessings; eliminating her Hero Blessing's negative effects and giving Ruti her self back. While Ruti becomes close friends with Rit, and genuinely likes and accepts her as her sister-in-law, she has an extreme brother complex for Red. After deciding to abandon her role as "The Hero", Ruti and Tisse have started an herb farm in Zoltan, that will eventually supply Red and Rit's apothecary, as well as sell to others in the area. Despite wanting to lead a quiet life in Zoltan, and hide her former Hero status, Ruti often demonstrates her OP abilities while performing simple tasks, much to Tisse's chagrin.
Yarandrala is a former comrade of Red's who is still on good terms with him. She is a beautiful high elf with the Divine Blessing of "Forest Speaker", which allows her to talk to and control plants. She was the first to leave the Hero's Party in outrage over Ares' scheme driving Red away. Initially, a jealous Rit mistakes Yarandrala for Red's lover when she sees them hugging each other during their reunion. However, as the girls become more friendly, Yarandrala tells Rit that she only ever saw Red as a close friend, not as a lover, and encourages Rit to accept her true feelings for Red and confess to him. During Season 2, she has moved to Zoltan after reuniting with Rit and Red.
Ares is a psychotic mage with the Divine Blessing of "Wise Man". His duty is being the second-in-command of The Hero's Party, but develops a dangerous obsession with Ruti early on. He is responsible for banishing Gideon/Red from the party because he is obsessively jealous of Gideon's personal closeness to Ruti. The entire reason Ares was even in the party was the delusional plan to marry Ruti once she won, in order to gain noble status. When Ruti leaves to find Red, he does all he can to stop her while slowly losing his sanity and refusing to acknowledge his own flaws. In the end, he betrays the Heroes’ Party and aligns with a demon to kill Red, but their fight ends with his name tarnished and his death at Red's hands.
Albert is a former comrade of Red's with an attitude who now lives in Zoltan. He has the Divine Blessing of "The Champion", which pushes him into an obsession to succeed. His greatest ambition is to become a member of The Hero's Party.
Gonzu is a half-elf and a close friend of Red's. He is also a carpenter by trade. He lives with his sister and her family very close to Red's house/shop.
An adventurer from Loggervia that can use fire magic.
Newman Winters (ニューマン・ウィンターズ, Nyūman U~intāzu)
Voiced by: Ken Uo[7] (Japanese); Doug Jackson[4] (English)
One of the local doctors that do business with Red.
Stormthunder (ストームサンダー, Sutōmusandā)
Voiced by: Yōji Ueda[7] (Japanese); Jordan Dash Cruz (English)
Zoltan's resident furniture shopkeeper and a goblin with the Divine Blessing of a "Craftsman". He has a bit of a beef with Red for haggling with him over the cheapest bed in the shop.
Danan is a member of The Hero's Party, gifted with the Divine Blessings of the "Martial Arts". He knows the reason why Ares banished Gideon from the party. He loses his right hand but retrains himself to compensate. He is obsessed with fighting because of his blessing, which he accepts and as a result he communicates and understands people’s actions by fighting them better than talking.
Theodora is a member of The Hero's Party, gifted with the Divine Blessings of the "Crusader". After Ares' death, she left for the frontlines once again with Albert, rejoining the fight against the Demon King. In the second season she has changed her name to Escarlata/Esta and has joined Vans heroes party to guide him, but becomes horrified at his heartless nature of killing anyone he believes is evil to get stronger, after he killed a simple conman instead of arresting him.
Tisse is the newest member and Gideon's replacement in The Hero's Party, gifted with the Divine Blessings of the "Assassin". She is accompanied by her pet spider Mister Crawly Wawly. Contrary to her skill, she is shy and has trouble making friends; leading to her and Ruti being besties.
Van is the new bearer of the Hero's Blessing after Ruti rejected her role. He is incredibly egotistical and sees the world in black and white, believing anyone who does not conform to his standards must die. He comes to seek a mystic shield with brainwashing powers to force the citizens of Zoltan whom he sees as heretics for their laid back lifestyle to fight and die for him. When Ruti and Red stop him, he loses his Blessing and becomes obsessed with killing Ruti which he believes is the only way to get it back.
Lavender (ラベンダ, Rabenda)
Voiced by: Ai Kakuma[9] (Japanese); Macy Anne Johnson[10] (English)
Godwin was an alchemist operating in and around Zoltan. An associate of Bighawk and the Thieves Guild, he was the one who created and perfected the Devil's Blessing. Originally a minor antagonist, his role slowly expands into that of a supporting character over time.
Mystorm is former mayor of Zoltan, who is respected by the guild executives. She is a top-class magician, and even after retiring from active duty, it is rumored that she can claim to be Zoltan's strongest. Placing the peace of the town above all else, they also carry out support activities for children who have no relatives.
Series is written by Zappon and illustrated by Yasumo. It began serialization online in October 2017 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by Kadokawa Shoten, who have published fourteen volumes since June 2018 under their Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint.[a] The series is set to end with the release of its fifteenth volume.[12] The light novel series is licensed in North America by Yen Press.[13]
A manga adaptation with art by Masahiro Ikeno has been serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's shōnen manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Ace since May 2018. It has been collected in twelve tankōbon volumes as of December 2023. The manga series is also licensed in North America by Yen Press.[42]
A spin-off manga illustrated by Mutsuki Higashioji and centering around Rit, titled Rejected by the Hero's Party, a Princess Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside (真の仲間になれなかったお姫様は、辺境でスローライフすることにしました, Shin no Nakama ni Narenakatta Ohime-sama wa, Henkyou de Slow Life Suru Koto ni Shimashita), began serialization on Kadokawa Shoten's Shōnen Ace Plus website on October 20, 2021.[43] The spin-off is also licensed in North America by Yen Press.[44]
An anime television series adaptation was announced on November 17, 2020.[1] The series is animated by Wolfsbane and Studio Flad and directed by Makoto Hoshino, with Megumi Shimizu handling the series' scripts, Ruriko Watanabe designing the characters, and Yukari Hashimoto composing the music.[3] The series marked the first time Ryōta Suzuki had been cast in a leading voice role.[72] It was originally scheduled to premiere in July 2021,[73] but was delayed to October 2021 due to "various circumstances",[5] and eventually aired from October 6 to December 29, 2021, on AT-X and other networks.[8] The opening theme song is "Iki o Sū Koko de Sū Ikiteku" (息を吸う ここで吸う 生きてく, "Beautiful Day") by Yui Nishio, while the ending theme song is "Minna Onaji" (みんなおなじ, "All the Same") by Jyocho.[74]Funimation licensed the series outside of Asia.[75] On October 19, 2021, Funimation announced that the series would receive an English dub, which premiered the following day.[4]
A second season was announced on October 31, 2022.[76] It was directed by Satoshi Takafuji, with Makoto Hoshino serving as chief director, and Studio Flad returning as the production studio.[77] The second season aired from January 7 to March 24, 2024.[78] The opening theme song is "routine life", again performed by Yui Nishio, while the ending theme song is "Michibiki, Sasagete" (導き、捧げて, "Guide and Devote"), again performed by Jyocho.[11]
Red, an apothecary residing in the frontier town of Zoltan, is popular but keeps his past hidden. He was formerly Gideon, brother to the current Hero, his sister Ruti, and a member of her Hero's Party. Because of his inability to improve his combat skills, Ares, the sub-leader, banished Gideon for being a liability. Being a knight of Bahamut, it will be a disgrace if he returns to his order, so Ares allows him to leave all the items that he got from the party, simply disappear and start a new life. Red meets Albert, an adventurer seeking to defeat a dangerous Owlbear that appeared nearby and requiring a guide through the forest. Hoping to keep his past and abilities hidden, Red refuses. Red's young friend, Tanta, is afflicted by an illness that will render him blind. Risking punishment from the adventurer's guild, Red enters the closed-off forest to gather medicinal plants needed to cure him. Albert sets the forest aflame to drive the Owlbear out and Red is forced to secretly kill it. Albert is suspicious but claims he killed the Owlbear to collect the reward. Tanta is saved, and Gonz, his carpenter uncle, builds Red his own house and apothecary, allowing Red to start the quiet life he desires.
2
2
"The Princess Who Didn't Join the Hero's Party" Transliteration: "Yūsha no Nakama ni Naranakatta Ohime-sama" (Japanese: 勇者の仲間にならなかったお姫様)
Yasuhiro Minami
Megumi Shimizu
Makoto Hoshino
October 13, 2021 (2021-10-13)
A familiar person enters Red's store. Rit, short for Rizlet, Princess of the Duchy of Loggervia, a major military power. She fled to Zoltan to escape a power struggle within her family and intends to live with Red, which he reluctantly accepts, though he still harbors feelings for her. As Rit settles in with Red, his former Hero Party acquire a new recruit named Tisse Garland, gifted with the Divine Blessing of The Assassin.
This episode includes flashbacks of Red and Rit's past. The Hero's party affiliated themselves with the Duchy of Loggervia. Rit was Loggervia's princess and a brash B-Rank adventurer who claimed the Duchy didn't need the Hero. Rit had suggested to her master, the Duke of Loggervia, that she raid the food stores of the Demon Lord's Army. During the failed raid Rit discovered her "master" was dead and had been impersonated by Shisandan, a general of the Demon Lord's Army. She was nearly killed but was saved by Gideon while Ruti slew Shisandan. Traumatised by the death of her master, Rit became depressed until Gideon - who had fallen in love with her - renewed her will to fight and eventually defeat the Demon Lord's Army. It was shortly afterwards that Gideon was banished by Ares and settled in Zoltan as Red the apothecary.
3
3
"Let's Start Our Quiet Life Together" Transliteration: "Futari de Surō Raifu o Hajimeyō" (Japanese: ２人でスローライフを始めよう)
Hisanori Kobayashi
Megumu Sasano
Tetsuji Nakamura
October 20, 2021 (2021-10-20)
After shopping for a bed for Rit she and Red successfully have a painkiller Red concocted approved for sale. It is angrily refused at first by Dan, the one in charge of approvals, because of a similar medicine with addictive properties he approved months earlier, and he was blamed for its impact. Rit uses her connections to get their painkiller approved. To accompany this new product, the two then make and sell a health supplement/cold and fever remedy in the form of a cookie (to eliminate the bitter taste which repulses most customers) which sells out in hours. Meanwhile, Danan becomes sick of Ares, as their mission to locate the Demon Lord's weapon, with help from the Desert People, has failed. Ares is furious at the suggestion they only failed due to his poor leadership and Red's absence. Knowing that Ares really only banished Red out of envy, Danan, with the approval of Ruti, leaves to find Red.
This episode also explains the Blessing Skill System, which can only be leveled up by killing another sentient living being with a Blessing Skill. Blessings can also affect personality, for example having a combat Skill can actually make people more prone to violent behavior.
4
4
"Of Mead and Motives" Transliteration: "Hachimitsushu no Riyū" (Japanese: 蜂蜜酒の理由)
Osamu Honma
Megumi Shimizu
Osamu Honma
October 27, 2021 (2021-10-27)
Many are shocked that Rit, Zoltan's most formidable adventurer, is working and living with Red. Rit has a craving for mead and leaves to buy some. Albert visits the store and accuses Red of killing the Owl-Bear. Red denies any involvement, provoking Albert to attack him, but is foiled by Rit's return. Albert is shocked at Rit working in Red's store, as well as Red's speed, moving across the room to catch the mead Rit dropped before it could hit the floor.
Red and Rit visit Zeff's sauna and notice a lack of customers due to a competing bath-house built by nobles that includes a restaurant and massage parlor. Zeff is certain he will go out of business, prompting Nao to scold his defeatist attitude. Red suggests using a potpourri of medicinal herbs in the sauna itself to tempt customers back. Later, Rit revealed the reason for her wanting mead: it reminded her of a tradition in Loggervia about newly married couples drinking mead together.
Meanwhile, Theodora asks Tisse if she feels joining the party was a mistake as The Hero's Party is encountering failure after failure, causing squabbles among themselves, something that never happened when Gideon (Red) was still around.
5
5
"The Amber Bracelet" Transliteration: "Kohaku no Naka no Yubiwa" (Japanese: 琥珀の中の指輪)
Hoe Won Kim Hibiki Yasui
Rie Koshika
Tomoyuki Munehiro
November 3, 2021 (2021-11-03)
The Adventurer's Guild attempts to bribe Rit to return to adventuring, but Rit refuses. Red refuses a similar bribe from the Thieves' Guild. Red gives Rit an amber bracelet and hints his next gift will contain a gemstone. The Thieves' Guild is afraid Rit might view them as an enemy and sends Dia to blackmail her by threatening to reveal her location to her royal family, but this fails as Rit doesn't care about her royal status. Rit remembers before the Hero Party vanquished the Demon Lord's Army: she and the Party wanted to ask the Duchy of Sunland for help, but had to cross the Bewitching Woods, a dangerous magical area, with the help of Red's friend Yarandrala, a High Elf immune to the magical effects of the woods. Rit thought Yarandrala liked Red, but was surprised when Yarandrala told her to pursue Red herself. However, seeing how close Red was to Ruti, Rit decided not to come between them and left the Party to rebuild her homeland.
Ruti misses Red terribly and remembers shortly after Red left, she became aware that Ares did something to make him leave, causing her to beat Ares almost to death.
6
6
"The Rampage Begins" Transliteration: "Hajimari no Kyōkō" (Japanese: 始まりの凶行)
Yūsaku Saotome
Megumi Shimizu
Shōgo Arai
November 10, 2021 (2021-11-10)
While on a medicine delivery to Dr. Newman's clinic, Red saves Jackson, a victim of poisoning, which the doctor diagnoses as a narcotic drug overdose caused by the recently approved painkiller. Red decides against investigating. After taking a swimming picnic break with Rit by the river, which is a chance for them to get closer. Al, Tanta's friend, reveals that he has unlocked his Blessing, that of the Weapon Master. Several members of Albert's Party, gone berserk, attack Rit until Albert kills them. Meanwhile, Danan reaches Zoltan looking for Red, and meets a man named Bui, who is also looking for Red. Red remembers how, as a kid, he would invent reasons to hold Ruti's hand and promised to become a knight so he could adventure with her. Dr. Newman suddenly arrives with an injured Al.
Meanwhile, as The Hero's Party is resupplying at an oasis in the Bloodsand Desert in preparation for another quest, Tisse learns of Ruti's lingering misery caused by her brother's absence.
7
7
"The Chaos After the Storm" Transliteration: "Arashi no Nochi ni Kusuburu Hi" (Japanese: 嵐の後に燻る火)
Tetsuji Nakamura
Rie Koshika
Tetsuji Nakamura
November 17, 2021 (2021-11-17)
When Al recovers, he says that Ademi came to their house and attacked him and his parents with an axe; but luckily, Al's parents are found alive by Red and Dr. Newman. News that Ademi vanished after the attack rouse the people of Southmarsh in protest, claiming he's being sheltered by the townguard led by Moen, Ademi's father. After they hear the that Tanta was taken away by the townguard for questioning, Red and Rit pull strings to arrange a meeting with Moen and Tanta. Moen apologizes for Tanta's treatment, but vehemently refuses to consider that his son might have become a potential murderer due to the urges of his Blessing, and commissions Rit to find the source of the drug. While Al is in the apothecary, a stranger arrives to give him a red-bladed shotel enchanted with a Locate spell. On Moen's request, Rit catches a drug dealer but is caught in an ambush from which Danan saves her. Danan respects Gideon's desire for a quiet life and thus tells Rit to keep quiet about his presence. It is revealed that he is not the real Danan, but a fake one. They also discover that the assailants are disguised minor demons. As Red and Rit later go into town to find Al a weapon suitable for his Blessing, protests against the townguard are heating up, likely staged by Bighawk himself.
Meanwhile, The Hero's Party has found one of the weapons of the former Demon Lord: an airship. During the fight with its demon guardians, Ares proves his inadequacy as a party member, but refuses to acknowledge his shortcomings. While the airship gives Ruti the chance to retrieve her brother, she refrains from doing so.
8
8
"The Man Who Would Be a Hero" Transliteration: "Eiyū ni Narō to Shita Otoko" (Japanese: 英雄になろうとした男)
Yasuhiro Minami
Megumu Sasano
Yasuhiro Minami
November 24, 2021 (2021-11-24)
As Rit deals with Dio and the people who sent the red shotel, Bighawk's henchmen kidnap Al. Al finds out that Bighawk is responsible for distributing the Devil's Blessing, the narcotic plaguing Zoltan. Bighawk wants to use Al for his own agenda by having him execute Ademi, whom he has in his custody. Al instead frees Ademi, and they are rescued by Red. Red confronts Albert and Bighawk's gang, and finds out that Bighawk has been taken over by a contract demon named Belial. Albert, consumed by his ambitions to become a member of The Hero's Party, tries to attack Red, but Red cuts off his swordhand. Albert and Bighawk are arrested by the townguard, and Al and Ademi reveal Bighawk's plan to the public, alleviating the crisis. A few days later, Red and Rit's relationship grows stronger, as he confesses to Rit that he loves her. Al has not only decided to start adventuring but has also joined a party. However, Bui visits the possessed Bighawk in prison, revealing himself as Shisandan, the Demon Lord's general supposedly slain by Ruti, who scolds Belial for making humans aware of the hidden potentials that the Devil's Blessing could unleash in them. After making a new contract with Albert, Belial breaks them both out of jail to join The Hero's Party, only to have Ruti drawing her sword at them.
9
9
"Days of Peace and Ease" Transliteration: "Odayaka na Hibi" (Japanese: 穏やかな日々)
Satoshi Takafuji
Yōhei Kashii
Satoshi Takafuji
December 1, 2021 (2021-12-01)
As Rit and Red starts marketing hand warmers for the winter, Bui applies as a B-ranked adventurer in Zoltan. Ruti receives some Devil's Blessing from Belial, and, wanting more, abandons the Hero's Party and departs for Zoltan in the airship with Tisse, masquerading as simple adventurers. Tisse chances upon Red at a roadside food stall; they recognize each other as seasoned adventurers, which Tisse reports to Ruti. Later, Red and Rit are led to a fairy dragon hamlet to see a patient, an archfay named Undine, who is affected by a magical drain spreading in Zoltan due to the presence of a very powerful entity. Ruti and Tisse break Godwin, the creator of the Devil's Blessing, out of prison, and in order to treat the injuries he sustained in the process, they seek out the local apothecary - which leads to an unexpected reunion with her beloved brother.
10
10
"Saving the Hero" Transliteration: "Kore wa Yūsha o Sukuu Monogatari" (Japanese: これは勇者を救う物語)
Yoshinobu Tokumoto
Megumi Shimizu
Yoshinobu Tokumoto
December 8, 2021 (2021-12-08)
As Red and Ruti catch up, Ares' treachery comes to light, and Ruti announces that she wants to stay with Red, thus giving up on her being the Hero. As she returns to the inn, Ruti experiences a sudden spell of sickness, compelling her to look for a set of elven ruins rumored to be in the area to serve as a secret laboratory for making the Demon's Blessing. Bui is revealed to be responsible for the recent magic drainage in the area through the use of an enchanted crystal heart. Ruti tries to settle in Zoltan, but her formidable personality hampers her attempts at inconspicuousness. While taking a bath together, Ruti explains to Rit and Tisse how much of an emotional support her brother is for her, especially since her Blessing as a Hero has made her inured to feeling any joy. Tisse quietly resolves to save Ruti from her forced destiny in the Hero's role.
Meanwhile, Ares and Theodora use Albert to track Ruti down. During a break, Theodora explains to Albert that people are not shackled by their Blessings from determining their own destiny.
11
11
"A Gathering of Champions" Transliteration: "Eiyū-tachi wa Zorutan ni Tsudou" (Japanese: 英雄達はゾルタンに集う)
Yūsaku Saotome
Megumi Shimizu
Tomoyuki Munehiro
December 15, 2021 (2021-12-15)
Tisse shares what she has learned about Ruti with Red and Rit, who conclude that, while Ruti's immunities protect her from the Devil's Blessing for now, she will eventually succumb to it if she continues to take it to negate her Hero Blessing. While Red and Rit prepare to travel to the elven ruins to interrogate Godwin, he encounters Danan, who is ecstatic to see him; but another, fake Danan also makes an appearance, who is revealed to be Shisandan, and was the one Rit encountered before. Meanwhile, Ares demolishes Red's shop in his obsessive jealousy of Red. Red travels to the elven ruins (actually an abandoned base of a more advanced, long-gone civilization), where he meets Ruti and Godwin and encourages his sister to live her life as she wants, not as her Blessing dictates. As they later discuss the effects of Devil's Blessing, Ruti notes that an unprecedented Blessing Without Name seems to have emerged in her. Right afterwards, Ares attacks them, but Ruti defies and abandons him. Ares is then met by Bui, an Asura demon; Bui reveals that the ruins shelter an artefact left behind by the first Hero, which Ares could use to win Ruti back to his side.
Meanwhile, the real Danan meets up with Theodora and Albert, and they continue to hurry to catch up to Red and Rit.
12
12
"A Parting of Ways" Transliteration: "Wakaremichi" (Japanese: 別れ道)
Makoto Hoshino
Megumi Shimizu
Makoto Hoshino
December 22, 2021 (2021-12-22)
Upon discovering what Ares is up to, the heroes converge upon his position. Bui is attacked by Danan, whom he critically wounds with Ares' help, and reveals himself as Shisandan. They reach the chamber containing the artefact they're looking for: Five sword blades, siblings of the Sacred Sword wielded by Ruti and - like Ruti - remnants from the time of the first Hero. When Red's group reaches them, the two attack, attempting to kill Red and use the Sacred Swords to sway Ruti back to her role as the Hero. Theodora appears and attacks Ruti to steer her back onto the Hero's path. Rit protests against this, pointing out that the one carrying the Hero's Blessing is not the world's sole savior, but it is really the will of the people that makes somebody - anybody - a hero. Red, Ruti, Rit, Tisse and Godwin rise against their enemies; Red kills Ares, but Shisandan tricks Ruti into touching one of the Sacred Blades, subjecting her to her Blessing's compulsions and then proceeds to cut Shisandan into pieces, killing him. Under this urge, she attacks Red, but her blow is taken by Tisse, critically wounding her.
13
13
"The Guide" Transliteration: "Michibikite" (Japanese: 導き手)
Tetsuji Nakamura
Megumi Shimizu
Kei Oikawa Makoto Hoshino
December 29, 2021 (2021-12-29)
Red manages to disarm Ruti, freeing her from the Sacred Blade's influence, but her Blessing has been nullified and is unable to heal Tisse. As an act of repentance for her stubborn adherence to her belief in the Hero's Blessing, Theodora heals Tisse's mortal wound, and all assembled come to the realization that being the Hero is not dictated by one's Blessing, but their own choices. In the aftermath, Ruti and Tisse relocate to Zoltan, where Ruti has been bestowed with a new Blessing which suppresses her previous Hero's Blessing. Red now fully accepts Rit as his wife, and they consummate their relationship. His life in Zoltan returns to normal, except for the occasional emergency which Ruti chooses to resolve. And somewhere in the wilderness, Yarandrala encounters Godwin, who tells her about Red and Ruti's whereabouts, prompting her to rejoin them in Zoltan.
^ abFourteen volumes in total have been released including Volume 0.
^Credited as Chief Director (総監督, Sō Kantoku) for the second season
^Also known as "I was Banished from the Hero's Party for Not Being a True Companion, So I Decided to Live a Slow Life in Middle of Nowhere." - official English title is seen on the cover of the Japanese version of the light novel.
